Most of the Wheelers will have already heard all about this thanks the local, national, and international press!  However, for those who haven’t, enjoy reading about the greatest achievement ever made in a Wheelers jersey .

Sunday 20^th April 2013 will be a day fellow Wheeler Paul Quinn and his ‘partner in crime’, Aidan Murphy will never forget, for it’s the day they finished their epic 7 month cycle from Dublin to Sydney, Australia.

Their incredible journey started on the 5th of September 2012.  238 days later, after travelling through 18 countries and 15,200km they landed at the other side of the world in Sydney, Australia.  An outstanding achievement to say the least, not too many people can say they have cycled from Ireland to Australia!

Knowing Paul, there was never any doubt of his ability in completing this once in a lifetime journey.  Though they set off last September, this journey was a long time in the making with the lads worked tirelessly for the best part of a year beforehand simply just planning the trip, and fund raising for their chosen charities.  Many of the Wheelers can fondly remember taking part in Paul and Aidans charity cycle last August before they set off on their travels.  Ever since, almost every member in the club has been following their progress religious with great pride on the lads Facebook page.  On every club run, their names have been mentioned with such admiration by everyone, truly an inspiration to all.  Furthermore, they raised over €30,000 for their charities which in itself is a fantastic achievement.

As the saying goes, the journey is the reward.  This is extremely evident after reading their excellent blog (a must if you haven’t already done so).  Paul and Aidan faced some horrific conditions on the bike but in the process experience life like no other.  We look forward to hearing the stories first hand someday in the near future, though you can spare showing us your new tattoo, Paul!

Everyone from the Island Wheelers would like to congratulate the pair on their achievement and look forward to getting Paul home and back on that Ridley!

 

Their Facebook Page (check out their photos!) – click here 

Their online donation page – click here

Below is an article from the Irish Independent – click here to view source

No bridge too far as 16,000km cycle ends in Sydney

THEY spent almost eight months cycling more than 16,000km across the world, so friends Aidan Murphy and Paul Quinn can be forgiven for deciding to fly home.

Both men set off last September on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to raise funds for charity. Now, they have reached their final destination –Sydney, Australia.

“We’re heading home next month but we’re definitely not cycling back,” a jubilant Aidan told the Irish Independent yesterday.

The two men, who are both 26, made the trip to raise funds for theIrish Cancer Society and theAlzheimer’s Society.

It took them all the way from Dublin to Sydney through 18 countries across Europe, Asia and Australia.

“When we got to Sydney and saw the Opera House and cycled across the bridge, it felt real then,” Aidan said.

“A lot of our friends came to meet us, it was a great feeling. We went to Bondi Junction to celebrate, to anIrish pub called the Cock and Bull.”

The trip was punctuated by highs and lows, including the aches and pains of cycling huge distances, dealing with extreme cold and camping outdoors.

Aidan described one moment when they were in Iran, camping in an old building and confronted during the night by 10 Iranian soldiers.

“Nobody had seen us except for maybe one shepherd. At around 9.30pm we heard a commotion outside. We slowly unzipped the tent and there were soldiers.

“They shouted at us: ‘Terrorists’. We told them: ‘No, we’re from Ireland, we’re from Ireland, we come in peace’, and pointed at the bikes,” he said.

The soldiers eventually started laughing and Aidan said it was a good example of the friendliness of the Iranians they met.

“India is beautiful and we also loved Southeast Asia, like Vietnam andCambodia – the people were so kind they wanted to give you what they had, even if they had nothing,” he said.

Personal

The pair had personal reasons for wanting to raise money for charity.

Aidan lost his mother to breast cancer when he was just five, and Paul’s grandmother, who he cares for, suffers from Alzheimer’s.

They each paid the estimated €10,000 for the trip out of their own pockets and raised €30,500 in donations. The money will be split evenly between the two charities.

Donations are still being accepted on the website: mycharity.ie/event/cycle-to-oz.